A healthy LeTroy Hawkins says he can still be an effective pitcher, even in his 20th season on a major-league mound.

The right-handed reliever, who turns 41 on Dec. 21, said Friday that he's eager to step into the closer role for the Rockies, adding that he's fit to deliver.

"You pitch, and play, not feeling 100 percent a lot in this game, (but) my arm is healthy," said Hawkins, who officially signed his $2.5 million contract with the Rockies on Friday.

Hawkins showed this past season that he still possesses big-league stuff. Pitching for the New York Mets, he went 3-2 with 13 saves and a 2.93 ERA. He struck out 55 and walked 10 in 72 games. That was a major improvement from 2012 when he struggled with the Angels. He was 2-3 with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 23 and walking 13.

I broke my (pinky) finger in Anaheim and I wasn't the same," he said. "I was throwing hard before I broke my finger, but I came back five weeks later and I just wasn't the same. I was trying to make it work throwing 88-91 mph and I couldn't (afford) to make mistakes."